HM LST-418

History
United Kingdom
Name	LST-418
Ordered	as a Type S3-M-K2 hull, MCE hull 938[1]
Builder	Bethlehem-Fairfield Shipyard, Baltimore, Maryland
Yard number	2190[1]
Laid down	2 November 1942
Launched	30 November 1942
Commissioned	29 January 1943
Identification	Hull symbol: LST-418
Fate	Lost in action, 16 February 1944
General characteristics [2]
Class and type	LST-1-class tank landing ship
Displacement	4,080 long tons (4,145 t) full load 2,160 long tons (2,190 t) landing
Length	328 ft (100 m) oa
Beam	50 ft (15 m)
Draft	Full load: 8 ft 2 in (2.49 m) forward; 14 ft 1 in (4.29 m) aft Landing at 2,160 t: 3 ft 11 in (1.19 m) forward; 9 ft 10 in (3.00 m) aft
Installed power	2 × 900 hp (670 kW) Electro-Motive Diesel 12-567A diesel engines 1,700 shp (1,300 kW)
Propulsion	1 × Falk main reduction gears 2 × Propellers
Speed	12 kn (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Range	24,000 nmi (44,000 km; 28,000 mi) at 9 kn (17 km/h; 10 mph) while displacing 3,960 long tons (4,024 t)
Boats & landing craft carried	2 or 6 x LCVPs
Capacity	2,100 tons oceangoing maximum 350 tons main deckload
Troops	163
Complement	117
Armament	Varied, ultimate armament 1 × QF 12-pounder 12 cwt naval gun 6 × 20 mm (0.79 in) Oerlikon cannon 4 × Fast Aerial Mine (FAM) mounts

HMS LST-418 was a United States Navy LST-1-class tank landing ship that was transferred to the Royal Navy during World War II. As with many of her class, the ship was never named. Instead, she was referred to by her hull designation.

LST-418 was laid down on 2 November 1942, under Maritime Commission (MARCOM) contract, MC hull 938, by the Bethlehem-Fairfield Shipyard, Baltimore, Maryland; launched 30 November 1942; then transferred to the United Kingdom and commissioned on 29 January 1943.^[3]

LST-418 proceeded south to the Mediterranean and participated in Operation Shingle. She was struck by a Gnat from U-230 at 15:11 on 16 February 1944, eight kilometres (5.0 mi) northwest of Punta Papa, Ponza Island.41°0′N 12°55′E / 41.000°N 12.917°E / 41.000; 12.917 LCI(L)-194 was able to rescue her crew members. LST-418 was struck from the Navy list on 16 May 1944.^[3][4]

• List of United States Navy LSTs

Citations

• Photo gallery of LST-418 at NavSource Naval History